SE5 Patrol

I've played a couple more games using the random threat generation system since my last report, trying a few combinations of earlier aircraft - up to about mid-1916. All of the games have been entertaining in their own way, even if I haven't reported them here.

This evening I moved on a little in time to 1917, and sent a couple of SE5s out on patrol.

Their opponents would be a mix of Albatros DIIIs, Rumpler two-seaters and Halberstadt CL-class escort planes. One British pilot was an ace, the other just a regular airman.

The SE5s immediately sighted a lone Albatros.

The inexperienced (and probably lost) German pilot failed to spot the British, until they were on top of him, machine-guns blazing. His plane was a wreck after the first pass.

The British No. 2 pursued the German as he tried to escape and brought him down with a second burst. Meanwhile the SE5 leader turned on new prey ...

... a Rumpler and a Halbertstadt.

Two more Rumplers appeared, heading for home after a mission.

The sky was full of Rumplers. But they all quickly spotted the British.

The unescorted pair quickly dived for home, and took no further part in the action besides firing a few long-range shots from their rear-guns. The third Rumpler ran for the cover of a cloud, whilst its escort moved to engage the lead SE5.

The British No. 2 chased the Rumpler, but it too escaped. The Halberstadt was in serious trouble though; flown by an obvious novice it was outclassed by the more skilled British No. 1 in his nippier plane ...

... and shot down with two bursts.

The British patrolled for a few more turns, and were ready to turn for home when yet another Rumpler appeared.

The crew of this one seemed very skilled and confident. They quickly spotted the British planes, and zoomed away from the leader (who was taking a tremendous amount of time bringing his plane back into the fight), and concentrated on the wingman. A burst from the front-gun damaged the SE5.

The Rumpler then took cover in some cloud, whilst the SE5 turned after it.

Another escape looked likely, but a burst from the SE5 cut across the wings of the German plane. With a sickening crack the struts gave away and the wings simply fell off. The lucky shot saw another German plane downed.

So the British downed three aircraft - an Albatros and Halberstadt, both piloted by novices, and an ace Rumpler crew. The first two were simply through having their airframes shot up, but the last was via a critical which saw extra damage inflicted. I'm still playing around with the critical hits table, but haven't had enough of them appear in games to be able to really get a handle on if my changes are working.I'm also looking at some changes to manoeuvres as well; modifying sideslips, and possibly adding some new options. Not quite sure how I'm going to approach them yet, though.